Advertisement

Page Sponsored By

How long does diarrhea associated with chemo last after the final treatment?

1 answer
| Last updated: Oct 23, 2016

A fellow caregiver asked...

I have taken my last intravenous chemotherapy treatment 10 days ago, but I am still suffering from side effects. How long does diarrhea last after the last treatment? How long will it take for normal bowel movements to resume?

Generally speaking, based on the type of chemotherapy treatment you underwent, the diarrhea should be subsiding within a few weeks after your last treatment. Keep in mind, each person responds differently to the side effects associated with chemotherapy.

One of chemotherapy's side effects is to kill other fast-growing cells, such as those in your intestinal lining, now that your treatments are completed, those cells should begin to stabilize.

Normal bowel movements should begin to resume within this same time frame of a few weeks, however, diet and any history of bowel surgery could affect the time frame needed to resume normal bowel function.

If you are still experiencing diarrhea and it is interfering with your daily activities I would recommend consulting with your physician.

Quick Links

Site Help

Caring.com is a leading online destination for caregivers seeking information and support as they care for aging parents, spouses, and other loved ones. We offer thousands of original articles, helpful tools, advice from more than 50 leading experts, a community of caregivers, and a comprehensive directory of caregiving services.